Course Syllabus

Course Name & Number: SPAN 1411 Beginning Spanish I

Semester & Year: Fall 2021

Course Description: Basic Spanish language skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing within a cultural framework.  Students will acquire the vocabulary and grammatical structures necessary to communicate and comprehend at the beginner level.

Instructor’s Name: Katie Ralph, M.A. Teaching Languages

Instructor’s Office #: online—virtual only

Email address: kralph@nctc.edu

Office Phone #: 325-721-9629

Canvas and Office Hours: MW—3:20 to 4:10, TR—3:20 to 4:10, F—10:00-12:00, and by appointment

ESFL Division Chair: Justin Hawkins jbhawkins@nctc.edu

Textbooks & Materials Required: All the instructional materials are available for free in our Canvas site. However, you must have access to a reliable computer, internet, webcam, speakers, and microphone. You will not be able to complete the required assignments without these materials. Please plan to use Mozilla Firefox as your main browser. Also note, your exams may not be compatible with mobile devices. Please plan to test on an actual laptop or desktop.

Unless the college shuts down, you are expected to complete your work as scheduled. Please do not wait for the last minute to turn in your work because that is when technology glitches happen the most. It is your responsibility to double check that your submissions have gone through. This includes connectivity issues due to the weather.  

Canvas Learning Management System. Our online classroom is located in Canvas. Canvas Privacy Policy. Canvas Accessibility Statement.

Adobe Acrobat Reader. I frequently post information in pdf format, so you will need Adobe Reader or another pdf reader to access these documents. You can download a free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader here. Adobe Acrobat Privacy Policy. Adobe Acrobat Accessibility Statement. Adobe Accessibility User Guide.

 

Technology Requirements

For best performance, you should access Canvas with a computer that supports the most recent browser versions. It is recommended to use a computer five years old or newer with at least 1GB of RAM.

Operating System

Canvas only requires an operating system that can run the latest compatible web browsers. Your computer operating system should be kept up to date with the latest recommended security updates and upgrades.

Internet Speed

Along with compatibility and web standards, Canvas has been carefully crafted to accommodate low bandwidth environments.

It is recommended to have a minimum Internet speed of 512kbps.

Screen Readers (if needed)

• Macintosh: VoiceOver (latest version for Safari)

• PC: JAWS (latest version for Firefox)

• PC: NVDA (latest version for Firefox)

• There is no screen reader support for Canvas in Chrome

Canvas on Mobile Devices

The Canvas interface was optimized for desktop displays, so using small form factors such as phones may not be a pleasant experience in using Canvas. For the best user experience, please download the Canvas mobile applications. The Canvas mobile applications require Android 6.0 or later and iOS 13.0 or later.

Since Canvas uses small elements of Flash, not all Canvas features may be supported on mobile devices, especially on iOS. However, Canvas offers limited support for native mobile browsers on tablet devices. For additional details, please reference the limited-support mobile browser guidelines.

Mobile Browsers

Visit the Apple store or the Play store to download mobile browsers. The following major browsers are compatible with mobile devices:

iOS

• Safari (default browser with limited Canvas support)

• Chrome

• Photon Flash Player (supports Flash)

Android

• Chrome (default browser with limited Canvas support)*

• Internet

• Firefox

Canvas and Respondus Tech Support: (940) 668-3335 use this number during office hours if you need immediate support, but it is preferred that you submit a ticked through: http://ecampushelpdesk.nctc.edu/hc/en-us/requests/new

Minimum Technical Skills

In order to succeed in this course, you must be able to

•           write, send, and receive emails

•           navigate the internet to find information and access online learning components

•           navigate and use Canvas

•           upload content via the internet

•           compose, edit, format and spellcheck documents using a word processor

•           upload content via the internet

•           record yourself using a webcam and microphone

•           download and install software

•           compose, edit, format and spellcheck documents using a word processor

Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete SPAN 1411 will meet the following learning outcomes:

1.     Engage in conversations using level-appropriate grammatical structures including narrating events that take place in the present and producing questions and responses on a variety of topics dealing with everyday life.

2.     Demonstrate understanding of level-appropriate spoken Spanish.

3.     Write simple sentences and organize them into short paragraphs.

4.     Read and comprehend level-appropriate texts.

5.     Identify and discuss traditions, customs, and values of the Hispanic world.

6.     Compare and contrast the traditions, customs, and values of the Hispanic world with characteristics of their own culture.

Core Objectives

Foundational Component Area:  Language, Philosophy, and Culture

·   Critical Thinking Skills (CT)- to include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information

·   Communication Skills (COM)- to include effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral, and visual communication

·   Social Responsibility (SR)- to include intercultural competency, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities

·   Personal Responsibility (PR)- to include the ability to connect choices, actions, and consequences to ethical decision-making

Grading Policy & Procedures

I do not offer extra credit. At the end of the semester, I apply standard rounding to everyone. For example, an 89.44 will remain a B, but an 89.45 will round up to an A.

 

Tarea y Asistencia 10%

Oral exams (2) 18%

Cultural project (4th credit hour) 17%

Exámenes escritos (3) 55%

 

90-100% A

80-89% B

70-79% C

60-69% D

0-59%  F

Scholastic Integrity

Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but not be limited to cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.  See Student Handbook “Student Rights & Responsibilities: Student Conduct [FLB- (LOCAL)]” #18.

Disciplinary Actions [Student Handbook, #5] “When cheating, collusion, or plagiarism has occurred beyond any reasonable doubt, the instructor may give the student or students involved an “F” on a particular assignment or in the course. [See Scholastic Dishonesty FLB (Local)] The instructor shall make a written report of the incident and of the planned action to his Department Chair.  The Department Chair shall report the incident and action to appropriate instructional dean who shall review the case, notify the student and, if necessary, take further action.  This may involve either probation or suspension of the student or students in question. If such disciplinary action is deemed necessary, the Dean of Student Services shall be notified, and the action shall be taken through that office.”

Plagiarism, which should be avoided at all costs, includes the following student actions:

1.          Turning in someone else's ideas, opinions, theories, or work as your own;

2.          Unintentionally or inadvertently turning in someone else's ideas, opinions, theories, or work as your own as the result of failing to document sources both internally and in the Works Cited;

3.          Copying words, ideas, or images from someone without giving credit; Failing to put a quotation in quotations marks;

4.          Giving incorrect information about the source of information, quotations, or images;

5.          Changing words but copying the sentence structure of a source without giving credit;

6.          Copying so many words, ideas, or images from a source that it makes up the majority of the student's work, whether or not the student gives credit.

The NCTC Student Handbook can be found here.

Attendance and Late Work Policy

Even though this is an online class, it is not self-paced. You must plan to log into Canvas at least  two times a week and should do the corresponding tarea/homework work by the due dates as well. Language cannot be learned in big chunks. It must be learned in small bits with frequent review of the previously covered material in order to be acquired.

Each day you should begin by reviewing the lesson, completing the tarea/homework, and submitting the attendance and other applicable work through Canvas.

In order to show your attendance, you must complete the corresponding attendance activity for that day. There will be attendance activities every Monday and Wednesday, and each will be due at 4:00 pm*. If you miss an attendance activity, you will be counted absent for that day. After 4 missed attendance activities, the student maybe dropped. 

*As a general rule, your work will be officially due at 4:00 pm because that is when my office hours end. However, I will accept work through midnight without applying any penalty. You are not guaranteed I will be available to help you if you run into issues submitting work after the official deadline. Late work will be accepted with a penalty of 2% per day.

ADA Statement

North Central Texas College does not discriminate on the basis of disability for admission or access to its programs.  The College is committed to providing equal access to its students with disabilities by providing appropriate accommodations; a variety of services and resources are made available through the ACCESS Department.  Students are responsible for notifying the ACCESS Department of their need for assistance.  Students with documented disabilities, such as mobility impairment, hearing or visual impairment, learning, and/or psychological disorders are eligible for services. 

 

Disability Accommodations

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides accommodations for students who have a documented disability. A disability is anything that can interfere with learning, such as a learning disability, psychological challenge, physical illness, or injury. Accommodations may include extra time on tests, tests in a distraction-reduced environment, volunteer note taker in class, etc.

On the Corinth Campus, go to room 170 or call 940-498-6207. On the Gainesville Campus, go to room 110 in the Administration Building (100) or call 940-668-4209.  Students on the Bowie, Graham, Flower Mound, and online campuses should call 940-668-4209 to arrange for an intake appointment with OSD.

North Central Texas College is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, ADA Amendments Act of 2009, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-112).

EEOC Statement

North Central Texas College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, or disability in the employment or the provision of services.

Tarea

You will have activities assigned to you to complete in order to practice material you have just learned. It is important to stay up to date with your homework because language cannot be memorized in large chunks. It must be practiced and learned in small portions with regular review.

Oral Exams

The oral exam is about producing language on the spot and not rehearsing fully memorized scripts.

Cultural Project

The cultural project will be turned in part by part throughout the semester and then revised and formatted in order to create the final version. Work turned in late will not receive credit. Pay careful attention to the grading rubrics to know how you will be graded.

Exams

Due to the nature of language learning, all of the exams will be cumulative. This means you are still responsible for remembering vocabulary, conjugations, and material from prior chapters for each exam.

Grade input

I try to get work graded and back to you by the next week, but remember that the standard grade turn-around is two weeks.

Tobacco-Free Campus

NCTC restricts the use of all tobacco products including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, electronic cigarettes, and smokeless tobacco on campus property. NCTC is aware that tobacco use influences underage students, accumulates unsightly tobacco litter, and interferes with assuring clean air for all who come to NCTC. NCTC recognizes the health hazards of tobacco use and of exposure to second hand smoke. Information on a tobacco cessation program is available for students, faculty, staff who wish to stop using tobacco products. We would like to "thank you" for your help in making our campuses Tobacco-Free. For questions or concerns, please contact the Office of Vice President of Student Services at 940-668-4240.

Course Calendar

 

 

 

 

Core Competencies and Learning Outcomes Alignment Chart